From Practice to Performance: Fender Champion 40 Combo Amp Demo & Review

[@tp10488]

I've had mine for about three years and I'm still learning new things. For the money, it's the most versatile amp on the market.

[@SirDerp909]

Sure, it's even more versatile than the Katana. Why would you say this? 😂

[@charanko3760]

The nux mighty bt20 mkii has a better versatility

[@deanbembridge8640]

Just bought one and watched this too try and understand how it works , found it very informative 🎵🎵🎸🎵

[@MelodyMaker]

One of the better amp demo videos I've seen. You actually took the time to help us understand what happens when the knobs are turned. On many of the amp demos I've seen...hosts would skip over important user functionality and get into lesser important component specs.

[@tarpley-music]

Thanks so much for the feedback, Blair! Definitely helps to know we're doing something different, even if it is small details, from other reviewers.

[@RickMaker-m7x]

'Hey Old man Take a look at my life' I'm up in the years but still a budding musician! This video has to be one of the best in describing the Champion 40. Hats off and thumbs up! My C40 is still wailing after 6 years.

[@warrendreher9316]

Great review, thanks! I bought the Champion 100 a few years back and gig with it. I later bought the Champion 40 for smaller venues. I have several old and new Fender tube amps as well but these are both great SS amps. The Champion 100 is like a Twin at half the weight, two 12's, 100 watts. The voicings are pretty amazing.

[@JesHill]

Good video. I received mine as part payment for some guitar work, thinking I'd sell it, a year on and it's become very much a keeper. It's just a great turn on, plug in, amp.

[@Juno58]

I got a Champion 40 only for playing at home, i changed the stock "Fender Special Design" speaker (which seems a bit cheap) to an Eminence Legend for better sound. Imho the Champion 40 sounds best with an overdrive pedal into the clean channel, way better than the modeled amp gain at the voice knob which sounds a bit dark/muddy. I love the classic Fender look of this amp!

[@TropicalLatitude]

The 40 has incredible clean sounds as good as any. It's delightfully lightweight.

[@jakollee]

@@TropicalLatitude Really? I think channel 1 sounds weak and thin; my Fender Frontman 25 has a better clean sound (and that’s not saying much).

[@RonJames-rb7eg]

I gig with one of these in small bars and cafes. If not this I use my Blackstar ID core 40 V3, both are just enough for a small venue, and I can mix and match different sounds from both with Strats and Tele's. Great review fella.

[@FerdnandFreeholi]

got mine for 40 bucks used. Threw a Warehouse ET 65 speaker in there. It Rocks. Takes pedals nicely

[@farber2]

Number 5, '65 deluxe voice, green light. I had no luck with this amp, but, that voice setting made all the difference, was getting way too much bass. am happy with this now.

[@marck1726]

Great video demonstrating the sound this amp is capable of as well as being easy to use. Convinced me to get this amp after some research ( and quite a few videos and articles) over some other amps on my list.

[@tarpley-music]

Thanks! Glad we could help. Enjoy your new amp, Marc.

[@paulallen3557]

A really good guy to conduct demos. Thanks!

[@HMSiegal]

Excellent review and demo at end very helpful

[@_Blepp]

This video was really really helpful. I am a guitar newbie and have only been playing acoustic guitar for a little over a year now. I'm buying my first electric guitar and need a versatile amp to go with it. your info and demo were super helpful. This will probably be the amp I end up buy thank you. :)

[@artrogers3985]

Excellent description!

[@perlaursen1885]

Nice, if we could see the panel of the amp close up. 😎

[@phillipcullen8450]

Good demonstration!

[@Avi_Benjamin_116]

Great review! Best one yet. Cheers

[@tarpley-music]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Avi_Benjamin_116]

@@tarpley-music yeh I just purchased one, looking forward to having a play. Thanks again for your review bc it motivated my decision to go with the Fender amp.

[@joehiatt1992]

Have a few of the Champ amps & just ordered a SE Silver Sky in Dragon Fruit color,cant wait

[@tarpley-music]

Congrats on the new guitar, Joe. SE Silver Sky is fantastic!

[@southshoreimaging3459]

Champion 40 is an excellent amp no matter what your skill level.

[@vstrum23]

Excellent demonstration... thank you.. Just one question.. why do you think it doesn't have a back panel? Looks a little unusual on the design front...

[@chrishunter9472]

Great video!!! this really helps

[@tarpley-music]

Glad to have been of help! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

great demo! the filming and lighting look great. is that mustaine or Axl in the background?

[@darwinsaye]

You said that the clean channel is sort of modelled on a clean Tweed sound - is that what Fender says? I was under the impression that the clean channel was a straight analog solid state circuit with no digital modelling whatsoever?

[@sober-southoftheborderever3591]

Great video. I just purchased this amp. I wonder what is the best setting to play slow blues (BB King (and others) style). Thank you so much. Cheers from Brazil!

[@DalScottGuitar]

Champion 40 or Debut 50r ?? 🤔

[@helenmendoza9072]

Can it be use in live gigs? Thanks

[@hamitcampos4989]

Greight demo. I guess you can do a lot of the softer songs I like with this amp too. Cause some of the distortion the man in the store was showing was too little too much for some of the stuff I like.

[@paulallen3557]

I'm with you on that. I really get discouraged with how much importance is put on exaggerated, heavy tones and effects. The mark of a good amp is the quality and clarity of the cleans.

[@hamitcampos4989]

@@paulallen3557 Ah well hard and heavy is fine. But it's just that some of the tones were too distorted for the kinda songs I'm into.

[@captainteatop2609]

Hello thanks for the info but I had a question I needed your opinion on Are there better alternatives to this amp in a cheap price range? I aim to play mostly at home and in small gigs and don't have a large budget Wish you a great day!

[@Br1zky]

Is it better than the Fender Champion 50xl? I want to hear your thoughts. Subscribed!

[@tarpley-music]

The 50XL has a Celestion “Midnight 60” speaker, which is a better designed speaker compared to the Fender Special in the 40. You're also getting 10 Watts extra, but remember that it's still a 12" speaker. Output will be about the same, but clarity will be slightly better on the 50XL. The 50XL also gives you more voices to choose from. The 40 has the retro look, and the 50XL has a modern aesthetic. Honestly you can't go wrong with either amp, as they're essentially the same. If we ever get a 50XL in, then we'll be sure to do a video! Thanks for subbing!

[@guitarsmurf2501]

The 50xl sounds considerably darker and the reverbs aren't as lush. Just my personal opinion but for classic fender tones, get the regular champion. I gave the 2x12 version and it's awesome.

[@otaldopedrinho]

Which is better Fender Champions 40 or meteor mgv30

[@jacksondowns5554]

So I could connect a pedal right? I’m trying to do grunge songs

[@tarpley-music]

Yes, you can connect any pedal you like to this amp and use them in tandem with the amp's built-in effects.

[@t-bonemarb2540]

ideal , ideal

[@bikeman123]

Why do people ask this question? I have put pedals in front of every amp I have owned without ever having a problem.

[@skye7690]

Does it take pedals.

[@tarpley-music]

Yes, you can use pedals with this amp.

[@rodflex4851]

But does it work well with pedal boards.

[@tarpley-music]

Yes, the 40 is a good pedal platform.

[@rodflex4851]

@@tarpley-music thank you for replying.

[@Juno58]

What's that dark red HSS Strat in the right background?

[@tarpley-music]

It’s a 2002 Mexican Strat. We pulled it from our Marketing Director’s office, because we thought it looked cool!

[@Juno58]

@@tarpley-music yes it looks cool. I got a player sunburst hss Strat with pearloid scratchboard and black pus and tone knobs, looks cool too. Player Strats are great guitars!

[@GuitarRiffsLicks]

Is there any save option? like If I set some effects to CH1 like delay and then power off/on what would be happened?it keep whatever effects I set?

[@bikeman123]

The effects are selected with a rotary knob. The position doesn't change when the amp is turned off. This is not a modelling amp and you can't have multiple effects.

[@richardmerriam7044]

Odd question: Can this amp be used as a powered PA speaker? I haven't tried them out (I bought two) in an empty function hall yet. They would be connected to the line level outputs of a small Behringer mixer.

[@tarpley-music]

No, this is strictly a guitar amp. It lacks a high frequency driver that would be necessary for speech to be clear.

[@richardmerriam7044]

That can be taken care of with the EQ on the mixer. @@tarpley-music

[@octtrinittolavg]

Is this amp power enough to overpower drums? (without tweaking volume on max)

[@sathira_anuk5179]

Light drumming, yeh

[@octtrinittolavg]

@@sathira_anuk5179 So not for hard rock? 🥺

[@sathira_anuk5179]

@@octtrinittolavg oh I'm not sure about that Better If you can get your hands on 100w version of this That can surly cut through any type of drumming

[@octtrinittolavg]

@@sathira_anuk5179 Yeah I know about 100w and it's brutal but I'm considering 40 because of smaller price, smaller space requirement and in the end - although the least important thing - smaller weight for carrying, so I'm not sure what to do. In space where I play with the band, we have the problem with sound isolation and drumms are so strong. 😁

[@upStomp]

I have the Champion 40 and it can absolutely keep up with a rock drummer. You may need to position it a bit higher or at an angle, but regardless you should be fine.

[@accentontheoff]

This or the Katana?

[@tarpley-music]

Get the Katana. It’s a much more versatile amp compared to the Champion 40.

[@accentontheoff]

@@tarpley-music Thanks for the reply! Just worried that I’ll be attached to the computer all the time. The Champion has that over the Katana don’t you think. How well do the effects on the Champion work compared to proper effects, in your opinion. Do they sound anyway comparable.

[@tarpley-music]

With the Katana 50 you can store up to four tones and with the 100 series you can store up to eight tones. Limiting your need to have the computer always connected. - As for the effects on the Champion, it’s subjective for sure, but they will get the job done for the different tones you might be looking for. If you’re chasing the tone of a dedicated effects pedal, then the built-in effects will probably leave you wanting more.

[@accentontheoff]

@@tarpley-music That does help clarify things, thanks, cheers!

[@tarpley-music]

Happy to help!

[@bikeman123]

I have a fender champion. I like having the amp voicings and easy fx selection. But what none of these reviews metion is the headphone out sounds like a trapped bee, garbage, which is very disappointing.

[@csh9853]

BLASPHEMY!!! Playing a prs through a Fender amp. 🧐🧐🧐

[@gearychannel]

Talkless do more

[@tarpley-music]

After this video went live, we noticed the same thing. 🤦‍♂ Thanks for making a comment about how we could improve; it's definitely appreciated!

[@BigJasquach]

Not particularly friendly feedback, I thought the video was great. Different courses for different horses. Great composition in the shots and super informative. Chapter markers are there for those who want to skip to playing. Great job!

[@tarpley-music]

Thanks, Jason! Really appreciate it! - We did take some of the idea to heart though and reworked our demo section to have less talking and more playing. It’s honestly a better experience for the viewer and gets you more audio to listen to and form your opinion with. You’ll be able to see the improvement in upcoming videos.

[@AmbientSubjects]

It's more than loud enough to play live in a large club. Done it and seen it.